Crane



Mar. 3, 1925. 1,528,387 I B. SQSNOW CRANE Filed July 3, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet l TMW Mar 3, 1925 B. s. sNow s2-8387 CRANE led-July 5, 1922 3 Shee 2 /4s 50 /ifz 9,5

Z792. 4 4&5 ai, 49 5 55 a" 9:7 a 56. Q 'Z0 wif Mar. 3, 1925. v 1,528,387

B. s. sNow CRANE Filed JulL. 1922 3 4Sheetg-Shee'c 5 Patented Mar. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES g i 1,528,387 PATENTOFFICE.

BARTON S. SNOW, or BATAVIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR To T. W. SNOW CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

CRANE.

Application lped July 3,

T 0 all whom t may concern Be it known that I, BARTON S. SNOW a citizen of the United States, residing at'ldatavia, in the county of Kane and btate of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cranes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates, more particularly, to in'xprovements in cranes or stand-pipes for use, more especially, in supplying water to tenders of locomotives, these cranes being located along side of the railway track and of a construction adapting the spout kportion of the crane to be swung from a position in which it substantially parallels the track and is thus out of the way of trains passing along the track, into a position in which it extends orosswise of the track above the tender to be filled, and vice versa.

lt is desirable in stand-pipes of the character above stated, to provide yfor the centering of the spout section in a position generally parallel with the track, and preferably to lock the spout in such position, withl out requiring the operator to move the spout to its final position, and in this connection,

it is one of my objects to provide improved means foraccomplishing this purpose Whereby the height to which the water in passing through the crane must ascend, when the lower than the height to which it is required to be forced in structures as hitherto. provided. A further object is to provide a construction wherein accidental return of the spout section to the position in which it eX- tends substantially parallel with the track, after having Ybeen swung by the trainman to a position generally crosswise of the track, will be prevented and still permit the desired swinging of the spout section to effect registration of its outlet with the water-filling openingof the tender. Another object is to provide a construction for the purpose stated V wherein'the spout section shall be so supported that the forces exerted against it,

tending to cant it, will be so resisted as to permit the spout section to be swung with ease. Another object is to provide a construction of track and roller cooperating therewith for controlling the up and down movement of the spout, that even in the case of incorporation thereof in prior structures, the height to which the water must be forced 1922. seriai- No. 572,587.

fest that the vtendency of the water rising in the columnl and thence deflected laterally y through the spout section, is to force the column upwardly and consequently raise the discharge end of the spout relative Ato the filler opening of the tender, it being the practice to so provide water-crane structures that they normallyoccupy an elevated position and are forced down by the operator to tender-filling position and held, by the op` erator, in this position. It is another one of my objects to provide against the vertical ldisplacement ofthe column under the force of water rising therethrough, and thereby avoid dangerof the discharge end of the i spout becoming displaced relative to the liller opening and avoid the spilling ofwater suchas would occur if the Spout'lifted out of theffiller opening.

Another object is to generally soimprove upon water cranes as hitherto providedthat `they willv function to better advantage and spout is in discharging position, will bev be better vsuited for performing the service for which they lare provided.

Referring to theaccompanying drawings, Figure lis a View inside elevation of a crane constructed in accordancewith my invention, the vertical column with its spout section being shown by full'lines in the position normally assumed thereby, and by dotted lines in loweredfposition. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the lower end of the crane, certain parts thereof being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the same portion of the structure, but viewed at an angle of 90 thereto, the structure being viewed from the right in Fig. 2. Fig. Llis an enlarged section taken at the line 1 -4 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken at the line 5 5 on Fig. 2 and viewed in an upward direction, this view showing the concentric tracks, forming a part of the structure, in full plan. Fig. 6 is a plan section taken at the line 6 6 on Fig. 2 and viewed in a downward direction 5V and Fig. 7, an enavith the lowerI ends larged View in vertical sectional elevation of the concentric tracks, showing the cooperating rollers by dotted lines.

The particular apparatus shown, com- Y prisesa hollow base-portion S in the form of a casing illustrated `as rigidly secured to the top surface of a housing 9 which in practice is located in the ground. The housing contains the pipe 10 which would lead from any suitable source of water supply, thishpipe, which is shown as equipped with a gatewvalve 11, opening into a valve casing V12 of any suitable construction and ivhich "may he inlaccordance with common practice. The casini; 12, in accordance with common practice, contains a valve (not shown) which may be vof any suitable construction and which operates vertically to control the passage of `water from the pipe 10 out through the outlet of the casing 12, this valve being operated through the medium ofthe vertically niovable mechanism, represented at 13, and from which rises the rods 14 which slide up and down through the 'upper en d of the casing 12, in stutling boxes 15, he valve-operating mechanism also in volves the Averticallylextendi'ng slide-rods 14; with ya connection between the rods '111 and 14 of such construction that the rods 14" may swing around the column 19 with the latter'r as hereinafter described without swingingthe rods 14 but which will be operative to vertically actiiate the rods 14 from the rods 14a, the connection shown involving a ring 111b loosely surrounding the conduit 1S Aand having' an annular groove 1i on its inner "periphery and airing 141d connected of the rods 1lia and exteid'ingi` into the groove 141C ythroughout its periphery. The outlet of the casing 12, representedfat 16, lcommunicates with an upwardlyextending pipe 17, which extends of the housing 9and `into a position wherein it is surrounded by the base-member 8.

The apparatus also comprises a vertically movable and rotatable hollow column 19 n vprovided at its 'lower `end with a `collar 2O,

this column having telescopingi' relation with the upper end of thepipev 17 whereby the column 19 adapted tolbe moved up and down on the pipe 17 for thepurpose hereinafter explained. The upper end of the column 19 is provided with a spout portion `21 extending' laterally therefrom and termihating;Y in a'downwaidlyextending outlet portion 22, through which the water, delivered to the crane, as hereinafter described, dischargesinto `the tender, or other receptacle, lto, be filled.

i 'Surrounding the upper, cylindrical, end ofthe casing 8 is a cylindrical, sectional, memberl 2?, the internal diameter of the lower end ofwhich is greater than its upper end 'to provide an `annular downwardly-facupwardly through an opening 18 vin the top infr shoulder portion 24 to which a trackequipped ring' 25, the tracks of which are provided von the underface of this ring, is secured, the member 23 being supported at the ring 25 on two sets ofA4 diametricallydisposed rollers 26 and 27 which are journaled, to rotate, in an annular iange portion 28 formed on the exterior surface of the casing 8, the two sets of rollers being disposed at an angle of 90O to'each other. The tracks referred to are represented at 29 and 30, tliesetraclgsbeing" concentrically disposed, with the track 29 located within the traclr() as shown, and the sets of rollers 26 and 27, which cooperate respectively with the tracks 29 and 30, are so disposed that they will extend directly beneath these respective tracks, the rollers 26, to this end, being spaced apart a greater distancev than the rollers 2T.

The appa "atus shown Valso counterbalancing mechanism for the column and spout, this mechanism comprisingr an upwardly extending tube 31 located at the rear of the column 19 and secured at its lower end in a tubular member 82 connected with,` and V"arried by, the `hollow member 23. The upper end of 'the tube 31 is equipped with a head 33 shown as of frame- 4like construction which extends upwardly treme upper position ofthe latterr and is equipped with sheaves 34 and 35 over which a itlexible element, represented at 36, and which may be a chain as shown, extends, one end ot `this element being connected with the spout 21, as represented `at 37, and its other end passing downwardly through the tube 31 and connected with the upper end of a counter-weight 3S i'vliich is slidable up and down Vin the tube 31, the counter-weigh 38 beingr of `such weight that it preferably overbalances 'the parts which zare suspended from theend of the element 36 opposite that to which the counter-weight is attached, whereby the normal positionof-these parts is that represented in full lines in Fig. 1, to which Aposition these parts"automatically return after-the column and spout section have been depressed, 'as for example, to the dotted position ushown in Fig. 1. In orc er that rthe column 19 with its spout section 21 may be guided at its upper end in its movement vertically, the column 19 is provided `with rearwardly extending' plate members 539 located at opposite sides of the tube 31, bctween which plates a `peripherally-grooved roller 10 mounted on a shaft 41 ce 'ried b v these plates, extends, this roller bearing at its grooved-periphery against the tube 3l.

lIn the particular construction illustrated the tracks 29 and 3() are of such form as to provide depressions into which the rollers 27 land 26, respectively, extend Vwhen the spout section is swungtofa position in which comprises beyond the spout section -21 in the ex it substantially parallels the track, these depressions being sufficiently deep to prevent the spout section from being accidentally swung out of the position stated, the portions of these tracks at opposite sides of the depressions referred to sloping downwardly in opposite directions. These tracks are also provided with low portions arranged at angles of 90o to the depressions referred to rto Y into which the rollers respectively extend when the spout section extends crosswise of the track, the under surfaces of the tracks at opposite sides of these low portions inclining downwardly in opposite directions, whereby when the spout is swung from a position in which it substantially parallels the track to a position in which it extends crosswise of the track, the member 23, together with the parts carried thereby and including the tube 3l, the column 19 and spout section 21, are caused to first rise and then lower, the operator in the initial rotation of the spout forcing` the spout toward a position extending crosswise of the track to a position in which the member 23 and the parts carried thereby begin to move downwardly, the remainder of the movement of the spout to crosswise position being effected kby the action of gravity. In the reverse rotary movement of the spout section it first rises, under the force exerted by the operator in rotating it, and after it reaches the high places on the cam tracks it automatically continues its rotation to a position in which it extends parallel with the track and becomes locked in the manner heretofore described. To this end the surfaces of the cam tracks are of the shape as shown, the cam track 29 being formed with the diametrically-opposed low portions 42 which contain the depressions 43 hereinbefore referred to and into which the rollers 27 extend when the spout section extends substantially parallel with the track, as represented of the roller 27 in Fig. 7. The high portions of the track 29 are represented at 44, there being four of these high portions arranged at 90O to each other, and the low portions of the track 29 which are engaged by the vrollers 27 when the spout extends crosswise of the track, are represented at 45, these low portions 45 being diametrically opposed and arranged at 90 to the low portions 42.

The track 30 is formed with the diametrically-opposed low portions 46 containing the depressions 47 into which the rollers 26 extend when the spout section extends substantially parallel with the track. The track 30 is also formed with the diametrically-opposed low portions 48 which are arranged 4at angles of 9()o to the low portions 46 and which' oppose the rollers 26 when the spout section extends crosswise of the track, the high port-ions of the track 30, located between adjacent ones of the lower portions 46 and 48,

being represented at 49, there being four of these high portions which extend in the same radial lines as the high portions 44"of the track 29, it being understood from the foregoing description and from the illustration in the drawings, that the under surfaces of these tracks which extend between the high portions and the low portions thereof, are inclined, they being preferably curved surfaces as represented more particularly in Fig. 7

From the foregoing description it will be observed that when the spout section extends substantially parallel with the track the rollers 26 and 27 will extend into the depressions 47 and 43 respectively, thereby holding the spout-equipped column from accidental rotation. The restraint, however, afforded by the engagement of the rollers with these depressions, as stated, is not sufficient to prevent the operator from turning the column with its spout section to a position in which the latter extends crosswise of the track. In this last-referred-to operation the inclined portions of the tracks in moving against the rollers first cause the member 23 with the parts carried thereby and includ ing the column 19 with its spout section and the supporting mechanism for the counterweight mechanism, to rise, and after the high spots on these tracks have passed beyond the respective rollers, the member 23 with the various parts referred to lower, it being preferred that the under surfaces of the tracks adjacent the low spots incline as stated whereby the member 23 with the parts carried thereby automatically rotate to move the spout section toward a position in which it extends crosswise of the track, or at least permit the parts to be so positioned with the exertion of relatively slight force on the part of the operator. The telescoping connection between the column 19 and the conduit 17 adapts the column with its spout section to be vertically adjusted to cause the discharge portion 22 of the spout section to extend at the desired elevation for insuring the discharge of the water from the crane into the opening of the tender or other receptacle to be filled.

The bottom surfaces of the low portions 45 and 48 of the tracks are so formed that they will present flat portions disposed substantially horizontally and against which the rollers referred to bear when the spout sec` tion extends generally crosswise of the track, the purpose of these fiat portions be' ing to permitv the member 23, together with the parts carried thereby, to be swung for properly adjusting the spout section in a horizontal plane relative to the tender` to lbe filled, without requiring undue exertion on the partof the operator, the parts referred to maintaining the position to which they are rotated for the adjustment purpose spout section 2l, counterweight mechanism for the column and spout and that part of the valve-operating mechanism including the ring 14d and the parts connected therewith, into such position that the spout 2l. extends substantially crosswise of the track. In thus rotating the parts as stated, the cam tracks 29 and 30 ride at inc-lined portions thereof against the rollers 27 and 26, respectively, with the result of causing the member 23 and all of the parts carried thereby to rise, and as soon as the high portions 44 and 49 of these cam tracks have passed across the rollers 27 and 26, respectively, the part 23, together with the parts carried thereby, will lower, the rollers 27 and 26 then opposing the low portions and 48 of the tracks, in which position of the parts the spout section will extend substantially crosswise of the track, but by reason of the provision of the substantially iat surfaces provided at the low portions 45 and 48, as hereinbefore described, the spout may have sufficient movement substantially in a horizontal plane in order that it may be properly positioned directly over the filler opening through which the water is to be discharged into the receptacle to be filled. It will be noted in this connection that while the spout is capable of the movement `just stated, the upwardly-inclining end surfaces of the low portions 45 and 48, prevent the operator from accidentally f rotating the column 19 toa position-in which thehigh portions 44 and 49 pass across the rollers 27 and 26, respectively, and ythus danger of the column automatically .rotating to a position in which the spout 21 parallels the track is prevented.

The spout 21 having .been swung to a position generally crosswise of theA track as stated, the operator forces thecolumn 19 and spout section 21 downwardly, against the action Voli' the counterweight mechanism to cause the dischargenportion 22 of the spout to enter the liller opening of the receptacle to be filled, the column 19 sliding downwardly on the conduit 17, by reason of the telescoped arrangement of these parts. Upon positioning the spoutas stated, the operator rocks the lever 50 in clockwise direction in Fig. 1, thereupon raising the cam block y62 with the result of drawing the bands 55 into clamping engagement with the column 19 for holding the latter against verticaly movement, and also operates the valve in the casing 12, to open the conduit 17 tothe pipelO and thus to thesource of water supply, the water thereby discharging through the crane into the receptacle to be filled. The parts of the structure are preferably so arranged that before vthe water begins to flow upwardly through the crane and against the portion of thefpipe'which n operates to deflect the water laterally, as for crane forcing the column 19 out of the position to which the operator depressed it as stated. Upon concluding the iilling operation the operator releases his grasp on the pull cord 56, whereupon the valve located in the casing 12, together with the valve-opi eratingparts, will yreturn to normal position (Fig. 1), in which this valve is closed, thereby shutting OE the Vflow of water through the crane. In the return of the valve-operating mechanism to normal position as stated, the cam blocks 62 descend to the position shown in Fig. 2, thereby permitting the brake bands 55 to expand out of clamping position rela-tive to the column 19 and freeing the latter for vertical movement on the conduit 17 whereupon the column 19, together with its spout portion, will automatically rise to the normal position shown in Fig. 1, under the action of the counterweight mechanism, assuming that the operator ceases to apply downward force on the spout. The return of the member 23, together with the parts carried thereby, to a position in which the spout section 21 parallels the track, is effected through the medium of either the spout section 21 or the hand lever 64, as desired, it being understood that in the initial turning of these parts, as stated, in either direction, from a position in which the spout extends crosswise of the track, the inclined surfaces ofy the low portions 45 and 48 of the tracks 29 and 30 ride against the rollers 27 and 26 respectively in which operation the member 23, together with the parts carried thereby, rises. As soon as the high portions 44 and 49 of these tracksmove beyond the rollers 27 and 26, respectively, the inclined surfaces of the low portions 42 and 46 of the tracks engage the said rollers and the member 23, together with the part-s carried thereby, lower, the member 23, together with the parts carried thereby, continuing its rotation until the depressions 43 and 47 are moved into registration with the rollers 27 and 26, respectively, in which position the spout section extends substantially parallel with the track and these rotating parts are maintained in the position stated against accidental rotation. p

By preference, and as shown, the counterweight 38 and the main portion of the flexible element 36, are covered to protect them against the weather for the purpose of preventing'these parts from becoming clogged with ice and snow. This is accomplished by providing the tube 31 hereinbefore described and the cover plate 65 which isseciired to the upper end of the frame 33 to tively rotatable ine-lnber's one of jwhich is a entehdfover the sheaves together with that portionof the element 36 which ,extendslbetween `these sheaves, and also charges, one of saidn'ieihbers having `:canr

tracks one.k ivithinfthe'other, and theothler of 'said n i'einb'ers having seriesof projecting parts certain'vof said"projectingparts engagingone track and the others thereof en- `raging the 4"other track', one' of said nien'ibers supported by' said tracks and` said parts,the saidseries of"1aiojecting15`irts beln'gou't of "radial alignment. u i

'2. In-a crane, the combination"of` rela hollow `column througlrivhich the Huid sdiecharges,one of said inenbersy having1l caI`ntracks" one `Within the "other, 'and the other of "said Yliienlbers having series of rollers cerof which engage one track "and the 'otli'ers `thereof engagingthe other "track, one

yof/said infernbers being supported by `said tracks Aand said roll'ers,y the said series of rllers'being out otradala1ignment` u 3.*Inv a crane, the coinzbihati'on of relatively rotatable `iic'einbers' one of vvhich isa hollow column through vvhic'h the Huid di`scharges, one ofwsaidv rneinbers hiwing` caniytracks one Within theothen andthe other ofi said "inelnbers having series 4or projectingjparts arranged substantially 90"n apart, certain ofy said projectingparts' engaging `one track` and the others thereof engaging the other track, one of ,said 'ineinbers being supported bysaid tracks and said parts.

` 4. In `a crane, .the coinbination of"relatively rotatable `members one of ,'Whichj is a hollow'lcoliilnn through Whiclr the viiiiid discharges', one of said ineinbelrs having calntracksone Within the other, andthe other yof `said ineinbirs havingt Vseries f "of rollers arrangedsiibstantiallylgO" apart, certain of said rollers engaging one of 'sa-id tracksand :the lothers thereof engaging Ithe ,other x track. 5. In amcrane, `the combinationof aconduit for .fluid,`a 'hol'lov'v "column rising from,

and :communicating with, said 4conduit adapted togbe rotated andnioved upAand dfivn relativet said conduit, said Vcolurnn j laterallyfextending spout portion, a cairntrtck and cooperatihg projecting partsjatjvvhich ssaidcolulwlf` is supported, sind tia-Cie and projecting paas: being fela- "tivelj "irrovablei about the' airis" of said colunin 6. In'a crane, the coin'biinttion of'aconl duit for Huid, a Vhollowfco'luIiii1 rising from and communicating vvithsaid'conduit and adapted` to befrotated-an'd moved up and down relativetor said'condui't, saidcoluinn having' a" laterallyLeXtending spout portion,

a cam-track, and` cooperating rollers at which said "coluinn is supported, said track and rollers being relativelj7 movable' about the axis of said "coluinn and up an`ddovv`n`,

said track l containingu lov#7 portions' With which-` said rollers engage' `When said spout Aextends crosswi'se'of th"e track` adj aceht' to Which 'the crane" extends and other Vlow"y portions Wi'th which sa'id rollers encrage when saidspout "extends substantiallv,` parallel with thetrack, Y p l `7. In a crane, the 'combination of a conduit for fluid, Ea holloiv.colunii`1rising from and, communicating with saidv conduit `adaptedfto be rotated andmoved` and down relative toasaid conduit, said'looluinn having ,ax laterally-extending spout. portion, a carntraCk, cri-operating projectiiig" parts at Y which "said "colum'fn' x is supported,l `said .trckxand projecting parts being elatygiyl.

gage `ivhen said spout portion eitends `cross` Wise of the ,track adjacent to whichA thfecrane mme. and ehe-low pftinswahwhih said 'projecting partsnenggl? 'Wlln saidhs out extends substantially parallel with the track, and "means whereby said ooliiliin .Fand v spout section are ,heidi egaiaayaeeidena1 marien s Wiser ofthe trackalongside of Whichtlie crane "is located.- .A U In a, craneathe combination of4 Na w, rotatable co1 izo ing a laterally-extending outlet portion, means operating to effect automatic rotation of said column to a normal position of rotation, said column and said outlet portion being n'iovable up and down relative to said means, and counterbalancing mechanism for said column.

l0. In a crane, the combination of a oonduit, a holloiv rotatable column having` telescoped relation with said conduit and having a laterally-extending outlet portion, means operating to effect automatic rotation of said column to a normal position of rotation, said column being movable up and down relative to said means, and means releasably maintaining` said column in said normal position.

l1. In a crane, the combination of a conduit, a hollow rotatable column having telescoped relation with said conduit and having a laterally-extending outlet portion, and roller and cam-track elements, one of said elements being bodily rotatable with said column and the other of said elements being stationary relative to said bodily rotatable element, said column being movable up and down relative to said elements.

l2. In a crane, the combination of a conduit, a hollow rotatable column having telescoped relation with said conduit and having a laterally-extending outlet portion, a cani-track rotatable With said column, and rollers in engagement With which said track rotates, said column being movable up and down relative to said cam-track and rollers.

13. In a crane, the combination of relativelyl rotatable members one of which is a hollow column thro-ugh which the Huid discharges, one of said members having a cam-track and the other having a projecting part engaging said track, one of said members being supported bysaid track and said part, said column having a laterallyextending spout portion and said cam-track containing a lovv portion engaged by said part when said column is turned to a position in which its spout section extends substantially parallel With the track alongside of which the crane is located, and with a substantially Hat surface engaged by said part when said spout is swung into a position in which it extends substantially cross- Wise of the track.

BARTON S. SNOW. 

